Richard Dawkins and Nick Cowan (Creationist) Full Interview

[DanielV]

Hello,

For those who haven't seen/heard it, this is the unabridged interview between Richard Dawkins and Nick Cowan, who is a chemistry teacher.

Nick Cowan is a young-Earth creationist on the Christian variety

LINK TO VIDEO

Watch the whole interview - it is fascinating to me because you get to see an intelligent, enquiring person who has obviously had a deep and personally-convincing experience he calls God and then accepts the reality of scripture.

Once he has accepted scripture's accuracy, it appears he is then almost compelled to shoehorn the findings of science to fit his beliefs.

I don't see the man as crazy, but it shows just how powerful a prior belief can be in shaping your expectations of evidence and your interpretation.

I don't agree that there is as much room for interpretation with evidence as this man suggests, but it does give you some insight into a believer's way of thinking.

I think Richard Dawkins acquits himself quite well, as a patient and polite interviewer, considering what Cowan claims.

Enjoy.

[ponde]

This is a teacher of Chemisry at a major school.
I can imagine it now.
"Why does Sodium and Chlorine make salt, please Sir"
"How would I know, son, God does it"

[DanielV]

Originally Posted by ponde

This is a teacher of Chemisry at a major school.
I can imagine it now.
"Why does Sodium and Chlorine make salt, please Sir"
"How would I know, son, God does it"

Hi Ponde.

Yes, it would be interesting to find out where this Nick Cowan draws the line in terms of scientific (naturalistic) explanations and where he would assert his God did it.

[senectus]

megaupload link is horrendously slow.. pass on it.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Atheist [normal] chemistry: [OK, methodological naturalism then]

Hydrochloric acid plus sodium hydroxide > salt [sodium chloride] plus water.
[EVERY TIME!]

Religious chemistry [A.K.A. MAGIC]:-

Hydrochloric acid plus sodium hydroxide > salt [sodium chloride] plus water.

Plus, on occasion, Jeebus, allah, et,al.

Religious chemist in lab believes in the salt plus water result. Then he goes to church and believes biscuits and fermented grape juice gives rise to the body and blood of Christ. Now, why on Earth should we be skeptical about religious thought processes, on occasion???

[knowledge is power]

I paused the interview at 10:28 to do some work and Richard looks like a cheeky little elf with a twinkle in his eye!